In a follow-up on the measles epidemic in Italy, the Ministero della Salute reported an additional 304 measles cases since our last report one week ago, bringing the outbreak total to 2,224 cases since the beginning of the year through May.7.

Image/sferrario1968
Image/sferrario1968

Despite the increase in cases, the health ministry says data from recent weeks seem to show a downward trend in the measles epidemic.

They clarify  as follows:

However, due to some issues related to the surveillance system, it is not possible to have a proper epidemiological evaluation of the trend of the disease in real time. Indeed, the cases that are added each week to the total (eg the 300 new cases this time) are not just that the cases actually escalated, but refer to people who have manifested symptoms in previous weeks.

In addition, health officials add the growing number of measles cases in healthcare workers continues to be a concern. There has been 188 reported in this group since the beginning of the year.

The investigation into the vaccination status of the individuals affected reveal 89 percent were unvaccinated and another seven percent only received one dose of the vaccine series.

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